MCLEAN, Virginia: In a significant regulatory milestone, Intelsat, a leading global operator of integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has become one of the first foreign satellite companies to receive official approval from the Indian government to provide direct satellite broadcast services to the country’s media industry. This landmark authorization paves the way for Intelsat to broaden its broadcast media services across the Indian subcontinent and extend its reach globally, marking an accelerated phase of investment and service expansion in India’s dynamic media sector.
The Indian government, through the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), has granted Intelsat permission to operate four geostationary (GEO) satellites over India. These satellites—IS-17, IS-20, IS-36, and IS-39—provide C-band coverage, which is crucial for reliable satellite communication and broadcasting services. This approved satellite constellation will primarily serve India’s vibrant broadcast media industry, enabling enhanced content delivery and distribution capabilities not only within India but also facilitating the transmission of Indian media content to other regions worldwide.
The authorization allows Intelsat to work directly with India’s broadcast media companies in a business-to-business model, offering seamless and high-quality connectivity solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian broadcasters. This development is expected to improve the efficiency and reach of content delivery across the country, ensuring that media content reaches every part of India with greater reliability. Moreover, it will support Indian broadcasters in distributing their content internationally, thereby expanding the global footprint of Indian media.
Following the regulatory approval, Intelsat has already secured new contracts with three of India’s largest media companies, highlighting the immediate commercial impact and the confidence of Indian broadcasters in Intelsat’s enhanced satellite capabilities. These agreements will enable Intelsat to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of media content to viewers across India, boosting the country’s media consumption experience.
Gaurav Kharod, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at Intelsat, emphasized the importance of this approval, describing it as a “significant step forward” in Intelsat’s contribution to India’s space commerce sector, which he called a source of “great national pride.” He noted that Intelsat’s extensive satellite network, with four satellites covering the region, will provide Indian broadcasters with reliable, high-quality connectivity solutions that meet their evolving needs. This authorization, he added, enables the company to better serve its customers and contribute meaningfully to India’s growing and evolving media landscape.
Founded over six decades ago, Intelsat has established itself as a pioneer in the satellite industry, known for delivering seamless and secure satellite-based communications to government, non-governmental organizations, and commercial customers worldwide. Operating one of the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleets, Intelsat bridges the digital divide by enabling communication across oceans, continents, and skies. The company continues to innovate and lead the digital transformation of the satellite communications industry, aiming to achieve new milestones and “next firsts” in space technology.
This regulatory approval is a landmark for India’s space commerce sector, signaling the country’s openness to foreign satellite operators and the growing importance of satellite technology in India’s media and communication infrastructure. It reflects India’s commitment to fostering technological advancement and expanding its media services capabilities through strategic partnerships with global players like Intelsat.
With India’s media industry rapidly evolving and expanding, the enhanced satellite coverage and direct broadcast services provided by Intelsat are expected to play a critical role in supporting the country’s digital and broadcast ecosystem. This development aligns with India’s broader goals of increasing connectivity, improving content delivery, and promoting the export of Indian media content globally.
Intelsat’s recent approval to offer direct broadcast services in India marks a transformative moment for the country’s satellite communications and media landscape. By leveraging its advanced satellite fleet and expertise, Intelsat is set to deliver improved connectivity and content distribution solutions, empowering Indian broadcasters and enriching the viewing experience for audiences across the subcontinent and beyond. This milestone not only underscores Intelsat’s commitment to India but also highlights the growing synergy between global satellite operators and India’s burgeoning space and media sectors.
